Forgotten But Not Unloved

||4. Homecoming||

Shivaay had dozed off when the car screeched to a halt. A tap on his shoulder woke him up. He came out of the car and saw a grand mansion in front of him. He looked really nervous but a hand came and held his hand. He looked sideways to see Annika give him a reassuring smile.

"I know you are nervous but everything will be fine. The people inside are your people and they love you"

He smiled on realizing how yet again she understood him without him saying anything. She held her hand tighter and walked ahead.

On reaching the front door, he saw the whole family except the children. At the front, his mother was standing with a aarti ki thaali. Seeing him, she came forward and did his aarti. Then she gently moved ahead and give him a light kiss on his forehead.

"Dekhna, tu jaldi theek ho jayega, mere bacche", she spoke with tears spilling out of her eyes.

Janvi immediately came and held Pinky by her shoulders. And took her back.

Shivaay saw that his mother, Omru's mother and dadi were emotional. He knew the reason and he felt bad at himself. He glanced at Annika and she whispered to him, "Don't stress yourself. It's okay. It is just that she is your mother and her son not remembering her is not something a mother would be okay with"

Shivaay just nodded but his inner turmoil hadn't reduced. He wanted to talk to Annika. But he couldn't do that. He kept all his feelings to himself and gave the others a good smile. Just then, dadi came to him and caressed his face lovingly.

"We are glad you are fine billu. You had us all scared after the accident. And dekhna, bhagwan tujhe teri yaadasht jaldi de denge"

Shivaay nodded but his mind got stuck on a particular word. Billu? Why did she call him that. And what did that even mean. He didn't know if he should ask or not but finally, he cleared his throat and asked dadi.

"Umm, dadi, who is Billu?"

Dadi wiped a stray tear from her eye and said, "You are billu. Means that I call you that since childhood."

"But why?"

"Because of your eyes. They are grey and slightly blue, slightly green. Just like a cheshire cat. So that is why billu"

"Oh okay."

"Now that you are back son, we will soon help you get fine, don't worry", Shakti said coming forward. For him, this was an opportunity to be the father to Shivaay the way he actually deserved.

Shivaay smiled faintly and Tej came near him.

"I am glad you remember how to do business my boy. Get well soon, I will be waiting for you", Tej said jokingly and ruffled Shivaay's hair. Here, not only for Shakti, but for Tej also, it was a chance to mend his relationship with Shivaay.

"Umm yes. But I had to ask you something", Shivaay asked Tej.

"Ask away, my boy"

"Omkara and Rudra told me about you and your wife, I mean, their parents", he rephrased as he he heard himself. "They told me that you both are elder to my parents. But they didn't say what should I call you. Technically, you will be my Tauji and Taiji right?"